Sight-seeing Areas
Encounter the Culture and People of Takayama
It is possible to walk from one side of town to another in around twenty minutes, yet to see every single one of Takayama's museums, temples, shrines and sights would take several days. In this leaflet, we have selected those place that are of particular interest and we suggest that using the map and walking route below you make a personal plan suited to your schedule and taste.
Many of the museums are congregated in the san-machi Suji district, within a few minutes walk of one another, and they are relatively small. One day in this area should allow you to see several museums and enjoy the surroundings at a leisurely pace. Another day could be spent strolling in Shiroyama Park and around the temples and shrines of Higashiyama Teramachi. or, if your time is very short, you might make this a half day and spend the rest of the day at Hida Minzoku-mura Folk Village. On a very tight schedule, you can get a taste of various places on a bus tour.
However you arrange your visit to Takayama, we recommend that you give yourself some time to just wander around and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of this "other side" of Japan.
List of Sight-seeing Areas
San-machi
Suji This is actually the center of the old town of Takayama and is still a living part of the city, despite its old buildings and quaint atmosphere. The three main streets of Sanno-machi Suji (Ichino-machi, Nino-machi and San-machi) are narrow, and lined with stores selling traditional wares, craftsmen's workshops, inns and breweries (indicated by a ball made of cedar leaves hanging outside). You will also find restaurants serving local delicacies such as soba noodles, and a number of small museums, where the buildings are every bit as interesting as the items on display. You may also notice some storehouses in which are kept the tall festival floats that are brought out at Takayama's famous Spring and Autumn festivals.
Morning Markets 
The Takayama Jinya and Miyagawa morning markets
are among Takayama's best known sights. Every morning, from 7 a.m. to noon,
farmer's wives from nearby villages bring fresh produce - vegetables and
flowers - to these markets. The varieties of produce mark the changing seasons
in the mountains around the town.
Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine and Enakogawa River
Some traditional cultural assets, such as Kusakabe Heritage House and Yoshijima
Heritage House, are located in the Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine area, surrounded
by the Enakogawa River, the Miyagawa River and the Kitayama Hill. The area
has a quiet and historical atmosphere. The streets along the Enakogawa River
and Kitayama Park have seasonal flowers, which give comfort to the visitors.
Ruins of Matsukura Castle and Matsukura Walking Course
On foot, it takes about 30 minutes from the Hida Folk Village to the top
of Matsukura Hill(Ruins of Matsukura Castle). You can also access the foot
of the hill by car. From the top of the hill, a panoramic view of Takayama
and the magnificent view of the Japan Alps can be seen. A path through the
forest leads you to the Craft Village from the hill. (This path is closed
during the winter.)
Graceful Architecture & Treasures from the Past...
Kusakabe mingei-kan (Kusakabe
Heritage House) Standing close to the Miyagawa River, this museum is a superb example of traditional Takayama architecture. Built in 1879 entirely of wood it has a single-storey section designed as the owner's residence and a two-storey warehouse. This warehouse, with its partly earthen floor and open beams contains fine examples of furniture and effects, arranged exactly as they would have been during the 18th and 19th centuries. 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Admission: \500.
Takayama Yatai Kaikan
(Festival Floats Exhibition Hall) / Sakurayama Nikko Kan Visitors who cannot be in Takayama at the time of the Spring and Autumn festivals will find here a colorful display of four of the eleven floats used in the festival procession. The floats are changed seasonally so that each is on display for a few months of the year. You will notice that each float is different in style and decoration, reflecting the tradition of the district in Takayama to which it belongs. One-tenth scale replica of the Nikko-Toshogu Shrine are exhibited in the Sakurayama-Nikko Kan.
Nikko Toshogu enshrines Ieyasu Tokugawa (the first general of the Tokugawa Shogunate), which is located in Tochigi-pref. near Tokyo. This replica of Nikko-Toshogu consists of 28 buildings, Main Shrine, Worship Hall Five storied pagoda and so on. 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily. Admission: \820.
Yoshijima-ke (Yoshijima
Heritage House) Located next to the Kusakabe Mingei-kan Heritage House, this is another fine traditional house but in a different, more intimate style. Rebuilt in 1908 with absolute fidelity to the older structure it represents the best of local craftsmanship as applied to merchant houses, indeed it may be said to represent the finest qualities of rural Japanese buildings. The lattice work, a characteristic of Takayama houses and influenced by Kyoto, is especially famous, giving a sense of lightness and brightness to contrast with the massive beams and thick walls of the main structure. 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., except Tuesdays. Admission: \500.
Matsumoto-ke (Matsumoto
Heritage House);National Important Cultural AssetIn 1919, the fire, which started from Nino-machi, burned 1,032 buildings, including merchants' houses, temples and Shinto shrines in the central part of town. Matsumoto's house was saved from the fire thanks to its location. Matsumoto's House is one of Takayama's oldest traditional merchant house.
| Open: | 9:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. |
| Closed: | December 29 to January 3 and Monday through Friday |
| Admission: | Free |
| Contact: | 0577-36-5600 |
Takayama-shi Kyodo-Kan
(Local History Museum) This museum houses a vast collection of objects related to the old crafts and traditions of the region. The building itself is around 100 years old. Among special exhibits are wood carvings by Enku, a Buddhist priest who created religious statues in a unique, rustic style, and ancient clay vessels excavated in Takayama. 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., except Mondays. Admission: \300.
Takayama Jinya (Old Government
House);National Important Cultural AssetsOnce the seat of local government when Takayama was under the administration of the Kanamori clan, this is the only building of its kind in Japan. It was originally built in 1615 as the second house of Nagachika Kanamori, and was managed by the feudal authorities. In 1692 the Hida District came under the direct control of the Tokugawa government. From this time to the Meiji Restoration in 1868, a total of 25 head official were dispatched here from Edo (present day Tokyo) to administrate the affairs of state in this office.
The front wall of the main entrance hall is accompanied with decorated paper of a blue sea-wave pattern, which was designed by the Tokugawa shogunate as a symbol of its direct control.
Inside the Jinya, you can see the head official's residence, kitchen, banquet hall, civic and criminal courts, and rice storehouse. In the rice storehouse, many historical items, which indicate the history of the Tenryo and farmers' riot, are displayed.
| Open: | 8:45a.m. To 5:00p.m.(April to October) 8:45a.m. To 4:30p.m.(November to March) |
| Closed: | Dec.27, 31 and Jan.1 |
| Admission: | \420(Group of over 30 persons:\370) (Senior high school students and under:Free) |
| Contact: | 0577-32-0643 |
Shishi Kaikan (Lion Dance
Ceremony Exhibition Hall) 
In this hall, over 800 lion masks are
on display alongside drums and other festival-related items. Some of the displayed
items are designated as important national cultural assets. There is a demonstration
of automation dolls at the hall. | Open: | 8:30a.m. To 5:30p.m.(April 21to October 20) 9:00a.m. To 5:00p.m.(October 21 to April 20) |
| Admission: | Adult \600(Group of over 25 persons:\500) Junior high and elementary school students \200 |
| Contact: | 0577-32-0881 |
Higashiyama Teramachi(Temple
Area) This Delightful district of Takayama is approached from Shiroyama Park. Running north to south along an esplanade lined with trees, there are thirteen temples and five shrines here. The total distance from one end to the other is about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles). At the southernmost end, the beginning of the route as it is approached from Shiroyama Park, is Enajinja Shrine, which is surrounded by open fields. The next shrine on the way, Nishikiyamajinja Shrine, is approached by steep stone steps and surrounded by cedars. Further on, many interesting temples and shrines are clustered together close to the center of town. If you are short of time, this group can be approached from Yasugawa-dori street, Takayama's main thoroughfare. Every temple or shrine has interesting building and many have fine statues and other treasured art objects. By visiting Higashiyama Teramachi you will fully understand why Takayama is called "little Kyoto".
Shiroyama Park Once the site of Takayama Castle. A castle was first raised here by Lord Kanamori in 1590 although it was not fully completed until sixteen years later. With changes in local administration at the end of the 17th century, the castle was no longer used as the Kanamori residence and many of its buildings were removed to nearby temples and shrines. In the late 19th century, the castle site was made into Shiroyama Park. Traces of the original dungeon foundations and walls can still be seen, and the park is famous for its lush greenery. In spring, the cherry blossoms are particularly beautiful. There are also fine views of the Japan Alps. Open year-round/
Hida Kokubunji Temple
Situated just 5 minutes walk from the Station, this is the oldest temple in Takayama. It was originally built in 746 by Emperor Shomu as one of several provincial temples dedicated to the peace of the nation but the original temple was burnt down. The oldest surviving building, the wooden Main Hall, dates from the 16th century. The three-storied pagoda was constructed in 1821 and standing by it is a gingko tree said to be 1,200 years old. Among the temple's treasures are a precious sword said to have belonged to the Heike family and Heian-period wooden status of Yakushi Nyorai and Kannon.Open 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily, except January 1. Admission:￥300.
Shorenji Temple
About ten minutes walk from San-machi
Suji and overlooking the town, this temple
originally stood in Shirakawago, some distance
from Takayama. It was brought to this site,
in 1960 due to the construction of a dam.
The Main hall, dating from 1504, is considered
an outstanding example of Muromachi period
architecture and is said to have been constructed
from just one giant cedar. The roof is especially
graceful. The temple has also a fine drum
tower and landscaped garden. A visit to Shorenji
Temple should also include a walk around
the surrounding Shiroyama Park (see separate
description). Temple and park open throughout
the year. Entrance to Main Hall: ￥200. Takayama Betsuin TempleAbout 100 important and treasured items related to Shinran and Nyorai are displayed here.
| Open: |
10:00a.m. To 3:00p.m. |
| Closed: | From November to March, and every Monday |
| Admission: | Free |
| Contact: | 0577-32-0688 |
HIda Minzoku-mura (HIda
Folk Village) 
A "must" for visitors interested in the traditional
local lifestyle, this village is a remarkable example of conservation of buildings,
crafts and traditions brought together and placed in a beautiful mountain setting
- yet only 20 minutes walk or 10 minutes by bus from central Takayama. Covering
an area of 99,000 square meters, the village includes more than 30 traditional
farmhouses and buildings, many of which were transported from other parts of
the region. Each has been preserved in its original state, including artifacts
related to the life and work of the owners, and visitors can wander from house
to house at leisure. Among the other attractions of the Village is the Hida Minzoku-kan, a group of buildings of particular architectural importance reconstructed here in 1958. Also, certain houses have been set aside for use as craft workshops. Here, you can watch demonstrations of local crafts such as woodcarving, lacquer work, and the marking of straw baskets, hats and sandals. There are souvenir shops near the Village, selling pottery and other crafts items, as well as traditional restaurants. Open year round, 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. General admission:￥700.
Takayama City Memorial Hall
This building was actually used as the local municipal office from 1985 to
1910. The hall is located in the old district of town, which is designated
as the Traditional Buildings Preservation Area. The building is made of Japanese
cypress, and it is actually one of the masterpieces of Hida's artisans.
| Open: |
8:30a.m. To 5:00p.m. |
| Closed: | Mondays From Dec.29 to Jan.3 |
| Contact: | 0577-32-0406 |
OTHER PLACES OF
INTEREST
Inro Bijutsu-kan (Inro
Museum)
Small, exquisitely-decorated medicine boxes called "inro", and
their "netsuke" toggles, are among Japan's finest works of art.
Some 300 rare inro are displayed here, also screens and lacquer ware from
the Momoyama and Edo eras. 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.April. 1 to Nov. 30.closed
on Tuesdays Admission:￥500.
Hirata Kinen-kan (Folk
Art Museum)
Interesting both for its displays of objects related to the lifestyle of
Takayama merchants and for the building itself - a fine merchant house constructed
in 1897. 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily. Admission: \300.
Hida Minzoku koko-kan
(Archaeology Museum)
Another museum of special architectural interest in the oldest part of San-machi
Suji and once owned by a retainer of Lord Kanamori. Contains unusual structural
details that suggest associations with ninja. 9.00 a.m. to p.m. daily. Admission:\400.
Fujii Bijutsu Mingei-kan
(Folk Craft Museum)
Also in San-machi Suji, contains a private collection of folk art from China,
Korea as well as Japan. The entrance gate was once the outer entrance gate
of Takayama Castle. 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily. Admission:\400.
Hida Takayama Shunkei
Kaikan (Lacquer Ware Museum)
An important collection of Shunkei lacquer ware, one of Takayama's most representative
crafts. Over 1,000 items (dating from the 17th century through to the present
day) are on display, also an exhibit showing the production technique. 9.00
a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily. Admission \300.
Hida Kaiun-no-Mori (Forest
of Seven Lucky Gods)
Here, displayed in Edo-period granaries in a forest setting are huge wooden
status of the seven lucky gods carved from 1,00 year-old trees. Open year-round.
Admission:\300.
Ki-no-kuni-kan (World
Antique Gallery)
A number of antiques from all over the world are exhibited here such as wooden
furniture with elaborate sculptures, marble stones, stained glass, ceramics,
and copper items.
| Admission: |
\500 (Group of over 30 persons:\450) |
| Contact: | 0577-36-1978 |
Hida Takayama Museum
of Art
Excellent European glass arts and art nouveau are exhibited in the museum.
Three meters-high glass fountain is a must to see. There are also a coffee
shop and a museum shop in the museum.
| Open: |
9:00a.m. To 5:00p.m. |
| Admission: | Adult \1,300 (\1,100 for a group of over 20) Collage and Sen. High Students \1,000 (\800 for group of over 20) Junior high and elementary school students \800 (\600 for group of over 20) |
| Contact: | 0577-35-3535 |
Art & Festa Forest
in Takayama
Six festival floats constructed in the Heisei era (1990's) and the world's
biggest drum are exhibited in the Takayama Festival Museum. The museum itself
is located in the underground dome, and it is the first construction of it's
kind in Japan. Next to the museum, you can encounter precious natural displays
such as butterflies and fossils.
Also, near these museums, fine Japanese tea ceremony collections can be seen
in the Art of Tea Museum. Here, masterpieces of nationally famous potters
are exhibited, and you can also enjoy the taste of Japanese tea.
| Open: |
9:00a.m. To 5:00p.m. |
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| Admission: |
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| Contact: | 0577-37-1000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Squirrel Forest &
Hida Wild Plant Garden
About seventy Japanese squirrels and over thirty squirrels from all over
the world can be seen here. In the garden, you can enjoy local wild plants
and nature.
| Open: |
9:00a.m. To 5:00p.m. |
| Closed: | Every Monday (except Jul.20 to Aug.31) Dec.1 to Mar. 31 |
| Admission: | Adult \600 (\500 for a group of over 30) Child \300 (\200 for a group of over 30) |
| Contact: | 0577-33-9232 |
Hida Takayama Teddy Bear
Eco Village
This is one of Japan's finest museums specialized in teddy bears. Focusing
on ecological protection, the museum exhibits about 800 teddy bears in the
approximately 130 year-old Gassho construction house.
| Open: |
10:00a.m. To 6:00p.m. |
| Admission: | Adult \600 Junior high and elementary school students \400 |
| Contact: | 0577-37-2525 |
Hikaru Memorial Museum
This museum, opened in November 1999, features the world seven civilization
and Japan's Jumon wares and fossils. Japanese fine arts are also exhibited.
| Open: |
10:00a.m. To 5:00p.m. |
| Closed: | Mondays |
| Admission: | Adult \900 (\700 for a group of over 20) College and senior high school students \700 (\500 for a group of over 20) Junior high and elementary school students \300 (\300 for a group of over 20) |
| Contact: | 0577-34-6511 |
Note re Times of Admission
Unless otherwise shown, museums and temple buildings are open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, including Sundays. These times may be adjusted seasonally by 30 minutes To 1 hour either side. Also, ticket offices may close up to 30 minutes prior to the closing time of the building. Occasionally, buildings may be closed for festivals. For confirmation of opening times, please inquire at the Hida Tourist Information Office in front of Takayama Station.